The plumed whistling duck (Dendrocygna eytoni).  Stands really upright.  Loads of these were sheltering under trees at the water’s edge.  They feed mostly at night on wetlands.  Got these lovely long upswept plumes along its flanks, the longest just go above the level of the back.

This is the white bellied sea eagle (Haliaetus leucogaster).  This one is a juvenile, feathers are brown, streaked with white around the head and the underbelly is a dirty brown colour.  Look at that beak. 

Later on we came across an adult with dark grey wings.

Contrasting with pure white head and body.  According to my bird book often spotted ‘conspicuously perched on a high limb’ with a good view, and they certainly were.

Looking across the wetlands.  The grass is called buffalo grass.  There are patches where other marsh plants grow.  Patches get clogged up with soil which then allows trees to grow, hence the odd tree in the middle of the buffalo grass here and there.

The sacred lotus lily (Nelumbo nucifera).  You can eat the tubers, seeds and use the leaves to carry water. 

According to Margaret the last floods had inundated the lilies.  They don’t like being underwater for long periods and so a lot had died.  Making a comeback now though.

This is one of the varieties of pandanus plants that you get in this region.

These are locally known as Jesus birds, guess why?  They are comb-crested Jacana’s (Meltopidius gallinacea), very timid and flew off as soon as you get camera focused.  Their long legs trail behind them in flight.  Highly adapted for life on lily pads.  Interestingly, although there are lily pads here, there is also a lot of invasive weed called salavina which they seem to have made their home on.  They nest on lilies as well.  The bright red thing on top of its head is called a wattle.  

The reflections on the water are brilliant.  These two from Paul

and

After the cruise, and included in the price, was a fat-boy cooked breakfast.  We also had fresh fruit, yoghurt, copious cups of coffee etc.  Very uncomfortable for rest of the day.  Anyway had such a good time that we booked ourselves onto the evening cruise tomorrow.